Top 40

CELEBRATING THE HILL COUNTRY'S PROFESSIONALS

November 10, 2022

from the Manager of Business Development, Entrepreneurship and Talent

The Hill Country counties of Bandera, Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Kimble, Kendall, Kerr, Lampassas and Mason have much to be proud of, especially when you look at this year’s TopForty recipients. At the Kerrville Economic Development Corp., we continue to be blown away by the leaders emerging from this region, and we hope you join us in celebrating their accomplishments and aspirations.

This year celebrates our fourth anniversary of the TopForty entrepreneurs, business executives, innovators and community leaders, who are strengthening and diversifying our economic base in their own ways, for a total of 160 remarkable leaders.

Not dissimilar to previous award winners, this year’s recipients illustrate Hill Country values: a heart for service and passion for their communities. These leaders are collaborative individuals who use their skills, knowledge and ambition toward positive development and growth of themselves and those around them. At KerrEDC, where our mission is to promote regional economic development, we feel grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on these individuals making a difference in our communities.

Prior to this year’s TopForty, the KerrEDC had the opportunity to co-host an amazing day-long, in depth Business and Innovation Forum with the Office of the Governor’s Small Business Series on Oct. 27. In addition to a variety of regional and state leaders, we had the privilege of hearing from Mary Lou Retton, Olympic gold medal winner, as our keynote speaker, talking about what it takes to be a world-class leader. It was truly a memorable event for all who attended.

Many thanks to our event sponsors, KPUB, HCTC, Schreiner University, JAM Broadcasting, Happy Bank and Amber Thomason State Farm. We could not have done it without your generous support.

And, our 2023 Business and Innovation Forum is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Please save the date, and while visiting us at www.kerredc.com, please make a nomination for a leader you believe deserves some of the spotlight in next year’s TopForty.

Katie Milton Jordan Manager of Business Development, Entrepreneurship and Talent KerrEDC

Nancy Foster

AMY AHRENS

Researc , evaluation, and innovation data specialist, Kerrville ndependent Sc ool istrict

executives of Fortune 500 companies.

THE HILL COUNTRY S TOP PROFESSIONALS IN

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Kerr Economic Development Corp. in Kerrville. He is implementing strat egies for business and corporate growth in an array of sectors that are tied to the recently launched 2050 Your Voice-Your City compre hensive plan.

In his prior role, he was the head of economic development for the Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico Borderplex, a binational and bicultural region of 1.2 million, where he managed a prospect pipeline of $11 billion in projects and regularly met with top-level

As an economic development career-profes sional, Gil has had the distinctive opportunity to work a project of significant impact with SpaceX and its founder Elon Musk. He was chosen to present his story about the SpaceX project in a TED Talk series at the IEDC 2017 Going Global Conference in Toronto.

In 2016, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Gil to his Texas Aerospace & Aviation Advisory Committee. In March 2021, he was appointed by Abbott to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority.

He is a recipient of the DCI 40Under-40 Rising Stars in Economic Develop ment in the nation and North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2021.

Katie Milton Jordan is an entrepreneur who helps small business owners maximize pro ductivity, profit ability and peace. She believes the world would be a better place with even more profitable small enterprises.

Katie has lived abroad

in three countries and traveled to more than 18. She holds certifications in the Neuroscience of Leadership, Exit Planning Advisor, Business Interme diary and soon (degree expected December 2022), MBA in Ethical Leadership from Schreiner University.

The KerrEDC TopForty awards recognize individuals within the Hill Country region who demonstrate excellence in collaboration and utilizing knowledge and information for prosperous development. The individuals recognized in this publication live, work and do business in our nine-county region and are among its rising stars.

Gilberto Salinas is the executive director

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GILBERTO SALINAS Kerr , e ecutive director

KerrEDC Staff

KATIE JORDAN MILTON Mana er o usiness eevelopment, entrepreneurs ip and talent

DAVID BARRERA

Assistant director of public works, city of Kerrville

David Barrera is the assistant director of public works for the city of Kerrville, overseeing one of its largest departments. His career began with the city in 2012, serving as a solid waste supervisor. He has more than 25 years of experience in the solid waste industry and has a Municipal Solid Waste Class A license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

David has served on the Alamo Area Council of Governments — Resource Recovery Committee since 2013, assisting with regional and local planning. He is a member of the city manager’s leadership team as well as City University’s Board of Regents.

David obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from West Texas A&M and attended various Alamo Community College campuses, including the one in Kerrville.

David has a passion for public service and helping others. He says Public Works allows him to interact with citizens, city leaders and staff to provide services that aid in sustaining a high quality of life for the community.

David and his wife, Crystal, have been married for 21 years and have three daughters. His wife also works in Public Works, but in Boerne.

AMBRE BRODEL

Cofounder, 100 Women of the Hill Country

A native Texan who was born and raised in Lumberton, Ambre Brodel moved to Boerne a little over two years ago with her husband of 17 years and their three children.

She describes herself as a thoughtful and passionate person who is ready to give back in a big way to the place she and her family now call home. As a former member of 100 Women Who Care Cy-Fair, Ambre wanted to create an opportunity for women in her new community to be part of a giving circle.

In 2021, she cofounded the charitable organization, 100 Women of the Hill Country, and the membership-based

group has increased to 185 women in just one year.

The organization provides grants to local charities for needy causes throughout the Hill Country. To date, the organization has donated $74,000 to local charities, creating a ripple effect of positive change within the community.

Ambre has a marketing degree from Texas A&M and has been in the home lending business for 20 years. She loves hosting guests at Mustard Seed Bed and Breakfast on the Llano, a historic property she owns in Llano.

TAMMY BROWN

Director of student services, Hunt School

Tammy grew up in the U.S. Air Force, living in eight different states and three foreign countries. She attended 11 schools before her high school graduation. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher, because her family placed a high value on a good education, and as a child, she often played “school” with her siblings.

Tammy has been in education for more than 25 years in many different roles. While teaching at Hunt School, she pursued her administrative degree and served as principal for seven years. This year, she is moving toward retirement and is taking a new role as director of student services.

She has lived in the Hill Country for 40 years. She and her husband have six children, have served as youth pastors and own a local air conditioning business.

WILLIAM ‘JOEL’ BRYANT

Kerrville Fire Dept. lieutenant

Kerrville Fire Department Lt. Joel Bryant has served 14 years with the Kerrville Fire Department and years with Live Oak Fire Department. He has served as a marshal and recently transferred to shift lieutenant.

He is the C Shift Lieutenant at Central Fire Station that oversee the day-to-day

operation of an engine, ladder truck, rescue truck and ambulance. He is also jointly responsible for the bunker gear and compliance program for the entire department.

H

deployment task force and safety committee. He continues to support the F O inspections and code enforcement. He

investigator class for the Kerrville Fire Department.

H to the local kids, college students and businesses.

In May, Joel earned his bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration from Texas A&M-San Antonio’s School of Business, graduating with a 4.0 summa cum laude.

CARY BURGESS

Meteorologist/reporter, Fredericksburg Standard

Cary Burgess grew up in the Hill Country, where he developed a love for all things weather. As a meteorologist, Cary says weather is not only his career but his favorite hobby and has been since he was a kid in Kerrville in the 1980s.

“God has inspired me to appreciate the beauty of our weather, and I will never pass up a beautiful sunrise or sunset for a photo opportunity,” Cary says.

Cary currently covers sports and weather, reporting for the Fredericksburg Standard Radio-Post. His weather reports also appear in The Kerrville Daily Times and can be heard on Hill Country radio stations.

DEVAN BURNS

Human Resources Professional

Devan Burns was raised in West Columbia, where her family was very involved in the community and her grandfather was the only doctor for miles, inspiring her to care for others.

In high school, she was involved in drill team, student council and 4-H. She was awarded the Most Valued Citizen for volunteering.

Congrats to the guru of Weather, Sports and community service

Cary Burgess

for being chosen as a Top Forty Hill Country Talent. Read Cary’s weather column and reports in both the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post and the Kerrville Daily Times.

MICHELLE ERNST

Cofounder 100 Women of the Hill Country

Michelle Ernst currently serves as the cofounder of 100 Women of the Hill County and principal at Mayfair Haus. Her professional areas of focus include interior design, brand marketing and brand strategy.

As the former founding partner and creator of The Dienger Trading Co., she gap for a rapidly growing community in 2014 until spring 2022. Prior to launching DTC, Michelle held a 10-year career in public relations, brand and strategic marketing with side passion projects in interior design.

When she moved to Boerne in 2014, she had an open heart and mind for what God was planning for her next chapter. Making community an even better place if even with the smallest gestures of kin,dness, was immediately placed on her heart. Through her work at DTC, community partnerships, serving and H Country in 2021, were all alignments she says were the work of the Lord.

Michelle serves on boards for the Cibolo Center for Conservation, the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce and Child Legacy International. She previously held seats on Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau board and Art Al Fresco Public Art Committee.

She and her usband, Paul, have two children.

JEANNIE HILSABECK

Educator, Our Lady of the Hills

Jeannie Hilsabeck has more than 34 years experience in education. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the American

College of Education.

All but three years of Jeannie’s teaching career have been in Catholic education, with 11 years at Notre Dame Catholic School and 20 years at Our Lady of the Hills.

She is married with two grown children, and she spends her summers as a staff member at Camp Honey Creek.

E.A. HOPPE

City manager, City of Kerrville

E.A. Hoppe has served as city manager of Kerrville since June 2021, after previously serving as Kerrville’s deputy city manager since 2016.

During his tenure, he has been instrumental in the implementation of the Kerrville 2050 Comprehensive Plan, helping facilitate the city’s leadership team in creating and operating a highperforming organization.

E.A., a Hill Country native, earned an undergraduate degree in Economics with an emphasis in Finance and Business Administration from Austin College in Sherman and a Master of Public Administration degree with a specialization in Local Government and Financial Management from the University of North Texas. He was a summa cum laude honoree at both universities after graduating as salutatorian from Smithson Valley High School. He also holds a graduate

development from the University of Texas at Dallas and is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia Senior Executive Institute and the University of Texas Public Executive Institute.

E.A. began his civic career in 2005 with the city of Richardson. He was named city manager for Bulverde in 2013 and served in that capacity until coming to Kerrville in 2016.

E.A. is a member of the Texas City Managers Association and the International City and County Managers Association. He served as the TCMA Region 8 president in 2018 and on the statewide TCMA board in 2018-19. He is also an active member of the Kerrville Rotary Club, serving on its board of directors.

Hoppe and his wife, Ashley, have two boys, Patrick and Kolby.

KAYCEE INGLEBY

Owner, Lonestar 102.5KHLB / 101.7 KZZM FM radio stations

Kaycee Ingleby is the owner of Lonestar 102.5, KHLB, and 101.7 KZZM FM radio in Mason. With deep family roots in Mason, she is involved in several parts of the community. She keeps busy growing her business, raising three children and as a wife to a reservist military member.

She is the secretary for the Mason Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is involved in local politics. Despite being one of the youngest radio station owners in Texas, she is making her mark in her hometown and across the Hill Country.

COLBY JOHLE

Executive Director, Juniper Village at Guadalupe River Front

Colby Johle has served as the executive director at Juniper Village at Guadalupe River Front for over 15 years. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business, is a licensed nurse and served in the U.S. Navy for eight years. He has enjoyed serving the seniors in his community and helping establish great relationships with others in the health care community.

He has 120 employees and manages L

Heights in San Antonio and Spicewood Summit in Austin) and collectively oversees an annual budget of 12 million dollars.

Johle serves on a variety of community boards in Kerrville, including the Volunteer Services Council for Kerrville State Hospital, Kerr County United Way, The Dietert Center, as well as on the committee for Kerrville’s 4th on the River and on the executive board at the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also the co-chair for Leadership Kerr County and a graduate of Leadership Kerr County Class 31.

Colby has been married to his wife, Kristen, for 22 years, and together, they have three daughters, Hannah, Mahala and Katie Mae.

NATLIE JOHNSON

Clinical director and licensed therapist, The Fullbrook Center

Natalie has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor since 2017. She graduated from Texas Tech University, with honors, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Addictive Disorder and Recovery Studies, and a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to joining The Fullbrook Center, she had experience working as a therapist within multiple organizations,

program, a crisis management team in partnership with the Lubbock Police Department and a growing private practice in Dallas and Kerrville.

As the clinical director at The Fullbrook C N leadership lens is centered around courage, compassion, empathy and connection. Her educational training in systems theory allows her to collaborate with team members, families, support systems and referents of The Fullbrook C effectiveness of treatment.

JAYME JOHNSTON Executive director, Bluebonnet Children’s Center

Jayme Johnston is the executive director of the Bluebonnet C C an umbrella agency encompassing TriCounty CASA and the C A Center, serving Medina, Uvalde and Real counties.

B in Psychology from Sul Ross State University and studied Public Service and Administration at Texas A&M University.

Jayme began her career at Bluebonnet six years ago as a forensic interviewer, where she conducted more than 1,600 forensic interviews with children following allegations of abuse, neglect or witness to violent crime. She was one of 25 interviewers in the state of Texas accepted for additional forensic

interviewer training by Homeland Security in their Ace-Fit Program. In 2019, she became program director for B C A C B executive director in 2021.

protectiveness over the children in the communities she serves has been evident throughout her career. Jayme now spends most of her time helping the Uvalde community move toward healing in response to the tragic shooting at Robb School. She has been involved in coordinated efforts with local leaders, FBI

U.S. Surgeon General in response to the crisis. As she continues to grow Bluebonnet, she works daily toward her goal of safety, justice and healing for children of abuse in Texas.

Jayme is from Uvalde, where her parents, children and grandchildren live.

MARK JUSTICE

President, First Insurance Agency

Mark was born and raised in Kerrville and graduated from Harper High School. He obtained his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

In 2007, he returned to Kerrville and began his career working in the family business as an insurance agent. In 2009, he became a partner in the agency and went on to obtain additional credentials C I C I 2016, he obtained his Life & Health Insurance License and became president of First Insurance Agency of the Hill Country in 2018.

Mark is a graduate of Leadership Kerr County Class of 2008 and has earned numerous industry awards and recognition, including twice elected to serve as a volunteer on the Hochheim Prairie Insurance Agent Advisory Board Council 2009-11.

Mark is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce as co-chair for the KAC Networking Group, member of the KAC Young Professionals Group and the West Kerr Chamber, the Comfort Chamber and the Boerne Chamber of Commerce.

He also has served as the chairman U from 2016 to present and volunteers with organizations such as RoterAct for

the River Clean Up & the Texas Arts & Crafts Fair.

In his free time, Mark enjoys spending time with his elementary school-age daughter.

KATHY LESTOURGEON

President, Kerrville Advanced Insurance Group Inc.

Kathy LeStourgeon is president of Kerrville Advanced Insurance Group, Inc.

Born in Laon, France, and raised in San Antonio, Kathy moved to Medina in 1987 and has lived in Kerrville and the surrounding area since 1996.

H employed as an Ad Valorem Tax Specialist for the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, 16 years

for Arthur P. Veltman & Associates in San Antonio, four years as owner of AP Services in Kerrville and six years as E E S Harper, as well as working for Hill C H A sales representative.

Kathy began as a temporary employee at Advanced Insurance but quickly obtained her insurance license and has become the president of the company with the managing interest in the corporation.

Kathy says she is most proud of her two daughters and grandkids.

ERIC MALONEY

Kerrville Fire Department chief

Over his 23-year career with the Kerrville Fire Department, C E has earned a F

Fire Service Instructor II, Department of State Health Services Basic Coordinator & Licensed Paramedic, and American Heart Association instructor in multiple disciplines.

H T F C Academy, earned an Associate of Applied S E S B S E H Sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and

JOSH PARRAMORE

Lieutenant medical o cer, Be ar ounty S 2

Josh Parramore was born and raised in Dallas, and he has H and he worked F B C E S R I T F I S

R JESSICA REEVES

HOLLY RODRIGUEZ

RYAN REARDEN

Ta appraiser, Kerr entral ppraisal istrict

areer and tec nolo y director, n ram ndependent Sc ool istrict R I I S N FFA O S P A C A T A U B I IS T IS IS S F A I S E I S I I

ice president, reater Boerne am er o ommerce H R T G B C C H S T S U S B C H B

DELAYNE SIGERMAN

resident, oyle ommunity enter oard o directors B C C S S P P T T

KIMBER SILERIO

Educator, Kerrville Independent School District Early Childhood

STEPHANIE STEWART

Owner, Instructor and Therapist, HumblingBloom Yoga

THOMASON

KIM ST. CLAIR

BRENDA THOMPSON

Executive director, Dietert Center

Brenda Thompson, executive director of the Dietert Center since 2018, has worked and volunteered in the

more than 35 years. From caring for children and their families at the Kerr County YMCA for 20 years to providing services for seniors and their families at the Dietert Center, her passion is making sure all families are well cared for. Prior experience in mortgage lending, business development, marketing and facility management have provided Brenda a well-rounded career.

Brenda has served in multiple volunteer positions in organizations throughout the Hill Country and the state, including the Rotary Club of Kerrville board member, Alamo Area Council of Governments Aging Council-Kerr County representative, Meals on Wheels of Texas board membership chair, Leadership Kerr County Class of 1998, Leadership Kerr County Steering Committee and chair, Kerrville Junior Service Guild member and past president, Texas Arts & Crafts Educational Foundation Inc. board, Kerrville Senior Games board and president, city of Kerrville Home Opportunity Advisory Board, Kerrville Independent School District Faculty and Community, Safe and Drug Free Schools, and Student Health Advisory Councils, Hill Country Charity Ball Association board, Partners in Parenting Education class facilitator, Crisis Council of San Angelo rape crisis counselor and

for battered women.

Brenda grew up in San Angelo and has lived in Kerrville for 34 years. She and her husband, Curtis, have one son, two daughters, three grandsons, one granddaughter and two spoiled dachshunds.

ELYSSA WILLIAMS

Operations manager, Texas Business Buyers

The Hill Country had been Elyssa Williams’ home for 13 years and counting. Elyssa describes herself as a dreamer, achiever and someone who wants to make the

world a better place. She says she loves globetrotting adventures while developing deep roots.

Elyssa is the operations manager for Texas Business Buyers, a business brokerage headquartered in Kerrville. Texas Business Buyers is a growing company that wins awards in the industry nationwide for excellence. Elyssa says she loves helping goo people make great business deals, and she’s passionate about seeing businesses

Elyssa’s forte is putting the right people together to get things done. She has a degree in Business Management and a robust background in contract

management.

Some of Elyssa’s past service endeavors include making meals for the homeless, visiting prisoners in international prisons, assisting with programs for children of incarcerated

at-risk populations. Elyssa is the founding creator of Race to Freedom, a marathon fundraiser resulting in the rescue of hundreds of children from human P

team member helping host national and international business training events for thousands of business owners, entrepreneurs and executives.

Elyssa also mentors and serves on the leadership team for the KAC Networking Group.

DR. KIM WILLIAMSON Veterinarian, Kerr County Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Kim Williamson grew up in Sugar Land, and received both her Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M.

A Kerrville resident since 2005, Kim founded Kerr County Veterinary Hospital in 2007. Dr. Williamson is very compassionate about all animals, but her professional interests center on dogs and cats with a particular focus on internal medicine.

Her household is run by Clancy, an Australian shepherd, and Garriiee, a domestic short-hair cat, and Mo, who, of

In her spare time, Kim enjoys gardening, running, ballet, yoga and spending time with her husband.

KELSI WILMOT

Director of community relations, Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers

Kelsi Wilmot has worked in the health care industry for seven years, gaining experience in cognitive illnesses, public relations and community development. As the director of community relations at Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers, Kelsi’s goal is to help break the stigma of mental illness and help promote disability inclusion.

Kelsi is a Kerrville native and a Tivy graduate. After high school, she attended Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi before transferring to Texas Tech University, where she graduated with Bachelors of Science and Arts in Kinesiology and Public Relations. She found her way back to the Hill Country after college and became

working as a memory care director.

While working, she received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Schreiner University. Kelsi is currently enrolled in Abilene Christian University’s doctoral program and will receive her PhD in the next four years.

KAMARIA WOODS

Director of community services, BCFS Health and Human Services

Kamaria Woods is a Kerrville native, and she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Schreiner University before going on to build a career in the same community in which she works every day to make better. The mother of one dedicates her personal life to her family while committing her professional life to making the city she calls home a place where everyone can feel safe.

Whether through positions in direct care or leadership or by building community partnerships, Kamaria is always looking at ways to help everyone around her.